BHRT stands for Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy. It is the practice of giving a person natural sex-hormones to achieve what the body would naturally produce in the 'prime of life'. As the title above implies, there is some controversy over whether it is safe and natural to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Since the discovery of human hormones, the development of hormone drugs, and usage of bio-identical hormones have gone through many changes since HRT first began to be used by doctors after 1943, when Premarin was developed. This provided some relief for women suffering from the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause. Unfortunately this came at a price. Not until 2002 did studies get publicised showing HRT can increase a woman's risk for cancer. Now another 15 years later, we can now say that BHRT has developed to the point of being very safe and life-changing by improving the health of women and men.

There are three main issues I'd like to cover in this brief overview of bioidentical hormones. First, let's define the difference between conventional HRT and BHRT. HRT, primarily Premarin, is a synthetic analog of estrogen. It is not the same as human estrogen. It acts like estrogen to a degree, but it's clear it has more unintended effects and risks. Similarly, the progestins (progesterone analogs) used in HRT are not bio-identical. I won't go into the details of the pharmaceutical, financial and political reasons why doctors would start using un-natural hormones on humans, but thankfully there are natural alternatives that mimic nature and provide safe support.

Secondly, the key to effective BHRT is to determine a person's individual needs. The right testing is key. Many doctor's don't test at all before putting women on HRT. Sometimes blood tests are used to monitor therapy. However, it is clear that blood testing is not adequate to measure a person's endogenous (produced inside the body) hormone levels. Instead, it needs to be combined with urine testing to determine the full picture of hormone status. A 24-hour urine collection hormone test is the Gold Standard for prescribing and following BHRT. This simple test provides a wealth of health information across the endocrine system. This includes sex hormones, adrenal hormones, and thyroid hormones.

The third issue for effective BHRT is how to take the hormones... ie, what is the best way to get them in the body? Turns out, after years of challenges to consistently get hormones into the body we have arrived at a very simple and effective way to do that. There are oral, injectable and topical methods, all with varying success. The problem has been these methods either are inconvenient or lose effectiveness over time. Thankfully it turns out trans-mucosal application is very effective in most cases. When hormones are applied to mucous membranes they can be effective for long periods of time. For women, this is applied to the inner labia or vaginally. For men, on the anus. Although sounding inconvenient, compounding pharmacies put the hormones in a very tiny amount of cream that is quickly applied with no fuss or mess. The hormones are absorbed safely and quickly.

Now you might be thinking 'why bother?' What health problems are you having that might be caused by your low hormones? In all seriousness... all of them! The widespread effects of hormones in the body means that signs of aging and other ailments are often caused by a deficiency in life-sustaining hormones. This can include fatigue, sleep trouble, weight gain, anxiety, depression, digestive problems, allergies, frequent colds, blood pressure and blood sugar problems......

Lastly, to get the best results, there needs to be follow up testing and supportive natural strategies to make sure one is getting the right balance of hormones in the body. To learn more about BHRT and it's powerful benefits, contact Naturopathic Med!

Today I find myself feeling the emotions that surround another tragedy involving kids and violence at a school. This time it was much closer to home. Many of you are aware of what occurred this week at Freeman High School near Spokane WA. Every time a tragedy like this happens, I find myself grappling with the reality of evil, life and death, and why bad things happen in the world. I think we all search for an explanation and meaning in it all.

I feel the need to offer up a perspective coming from my experience as a physician and father of young kids, as well as being on this planet for almost half a century. I want to say upfront I can't purport to know all the details that lead to these events, there are however some hauntingly similar circumstances surrounding the individuals who end up committing these terrible acts as we witnessed this week. I don't know what will come out about the perpetrator from this week's shooting, but I am imagining that it may likely include a history of parental absenteeism, deficient discipline, access to violent media, ignoring warning signs, and perhaps medications for supposed behavioral problems.

A neglectful and disturbed upbringing: I think we've become too complacent about how kids are brought up today. Many are left alone far too early and often with media and video violence as care-giver. Like a frog in a pot, our culture has numbed us to the increasing fantasy violence that is in nearly all forms of popular entertainment. Young boys, during critical years of development, are allowed free access to the violence of Hollywood, military and thug-style reality video games ad libitum, with checked-out parents thinking it's fun and games. "Garbage in, garbage out"...as the old computer programmer's motto goes. I was a kid once and we fashioned fake guns out of wood and played battle shoot-outs. But I think there was a difference. The scenarios we created were from an understanding of right from wrong surrounded by a loving community of parents, caring adults and Sunday school teachers. If we ever acted out in a manner not conducive to a loving civilized society, we bumped-up against clear guidelines of teaching and discipline.

Ignoring signs and symptoms: I was not surprised to hear the reports coming out about the perpetrator. Students reported he had said things like "I'm going to do something stupid," and some noticed he showed up at school with an unusual duffle bag. There were reports that a counselor was involved with this individual prior. After an event like this you hear some of the same things: "I never thought this could happen at our school, by someone we know." Unfortunately when I hear about an event like this I am heartbroken and angered, but sadly not surprised given the current culture we live in. We can't prevent every tragedy from happening, but it often appears there are signs and signals from at risk kids, especially young boys, that we need to somehow get hold of and intervene in ways that get at the core of the matter. Easier said than done I know.

Labeling behavior and cognitive problems as disease: I believe this is one of the biggest travesties, often facilitated in the name of good medical care. Healthcare providers and parents are now medicating more kids at a younger age than ever before. There are rarely ever true "diseases" of behavior health. There is very little effort to examine a child's spiritual and circumstantial health to find and treat the cause of mood and behavior problems. It has been demonstrated for example that in many cases food intolerances and sensitivities impact the brain and central nervous system, especially in kids. But instead of investigating the whole spectrum of environmental impacts, these kids are managed with meds and we call it good. Meanwhile, their minds and bodies are in crisis ready to manifest in sometimes unpredictable ways. Gastro-intestinal, allergic, and immune disorders are rampant, largely due to unnatural and early exposure to junk foods, and the junk-media programming. Watching violence on TV or in games causes physiologic responses nearly as extreme as living out the events in real life. This has more extreme effects on children who haven't matured mentally and emotionally to gain life perspective and context. Instead they can become addicted and numb to the violence in fantasy while living in the reality of a loveless world...there are no adults to love him enough to say "NO" and pull the plug.

Lastly, I can't deny the reality of evil in the world and within the human heart. We see every day sad manifestations. Yet God gave us the manifestation and example of Himself and each other as a way out of depravity. To be passive is to give up on ourselves and each other. We must use our God-given abilities to keep fighting for the higher good and seek out the real factors that harm or hinder our physical, intellectual and spiritual growth.

"...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

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You may have heard of aflatoxins, natural chemicals produced by particular molds that are toxic to the body. They have gained attention after "outbreaks" in Africa, Europe and as recently as 2013 in the US. Produced by molds found in the soil, they are found on staple crops like peanuts, corn, wheat, rice and vegetable oils or products produced from these crops. Levels are variable but associated with high humidity of stored grains or after "stressors" on crops like drought.

Another myco-toxin (toxin from mold) is citrinin, also most commonly found on wheat, rice and other grains.

The harmful effects of these agents include damage to the liver, kidneys and immune system. Indirectly this can mean a host of other impacts including increased cancer risk and the consequences of liver and kidney disease. Though there are regulations to lessen the possible exposure in your food it's important to realize that these regulations do nothing to prevent the low level chronic exposure that is surely to occur... if you regularly consume GRAINS.. and perhaps peanuts and cheap vegetable oils. The European Food Safety Authority and WHO have evaluated risk and food levels with the available data, which is limited. Their conclusions have been that there is evidence of substantial exposure and impact on humans and livestock, however they conclude that more data is needed. There is no established maximum level allowed in food for citrinin, though the FDA and European Commission have set max levels for the major aflatoxins in food and feeds.

What is fascinating to me upon revisiting this subject is that "bad mold toxins" seems to occur almost exclusively on grains, peanuts and some seed oil. Being an advocate for a nearly grain-free diet, here is another reason to limit and avoid grain foods. It's also another reason why there are many health issues associated with a grain and vegetable oil diet. Since it's about exposure frequency, those that are consuming a vegan diet or who get most of their calories from grains are more likely to rack up chronic increased exposure... slowly diminishing health.

As I've discussed elsewhere, besides myco-toxins, the detrimental effects of grains and sugar are well established. Namely, a reliance upon glucose metabolism as your primary fuel source is both inflammatory and degenerative on the body. But.. before we meat and fat eaters start the party... don't forget that the toxic effects of mycotoxins occur to animals raised on grains and contaminated feeds. When we consume meat or animal products from these animals... we are exposed to potential harmful effects. So choose your food wisely. Grass fed, local, kindly raised animals and wild game and fish is better.

Over the years I've had a growing suspicion that sugar is addictive. There would seem to be a deep subconscious physiological and neurological process behind this. Anyone who has been to a child's first birthday party has witnessed the human response to simple sugar for the first time. At first the baby doesn't really know what is sitting in front of her. Then some well-meaning adult takes the frosting on her finger and puts it into the innocent's mouth. Baby is forever changed in that moment as she continues to grow and learn that sugar is yummy, pleasurable, and.....addictive.

I have certainly observed clinically the effects of sugar and carbohydrates on human health. But, I am speaking from experience personally that there isn't a human alive... who wouldn't be drawn to sugar. It brings pleasure, which can be described by the neurological effects it has on the brain. Mankind has been on this planet for.... a long time, but it's only recent that our ingenuity brought forth isolated sugars in large cheap quantities. The food industry has been able to capitalize on this in a BIG way, enabling us all to have access to the socially acceptable drug...sugar!

Over the years I've observed this... it's been a cognitive and personal journey to break my own cycle of addiction [sugar abstinence after a relatively long consumption period resulted in impairment of DRL performance, confirming the parallel effects of addictive drugs and sugar and suggesting an increase in impulsivity as a consequence of sugar deprivation.]. I like information... but not trivia. I like to learn information that can be applied to our lives. Back in the early 90's I begin to hear about sugar... and it's adverse effects on our bodies. This was not a very popular topic, whereas mainstream health and nutrition information ignored the topic or outright denied it. Deep down I knew sugar wasn't good. In grade-school they taught us that sugary foods were bad for our teeth... So brush brush brush, swish, and maybe floss. I think that everyone knows that eating lots of dessert is bad. Too much sugar isn't good...of course. But what is too much? And what about starch.. that we quickly turn into sugar?

I'd say that I've struggled like everyone else to decide what was too much sugar. Is one form better than another. I've heard many patients tell me that they dutifully avoid sugar, instead using agave syrup, or coconut sugar. I am always amazed at how much mis-information is out there... or how much self-denial we have when it comes to sugar. Sugar by any other name is still sugar. It's too bad sugar isn't real expensive. Humans need every incentive to limit something they are biologically wired to pursue with abandon, which isn't good for them. Honey, agave, coconut sugar, evaporated cane juice, fructose, fruit juice concentrate, high-fructose corn syrup, sucrose, white sugar, all have the same affect on the body... more or less. And we are all addicted to them.

So what about starch? Bread, potato, corn, grains, beans, fruits? These grow and are natural. Yes, but we convert starch to sugar. Fruit today is larger and higher in sugar than it was 200 years ago... and more available... year round. Starch turns to sugar more slowly than eating sugar, but eventually it's all the same. It's a biological fact that our bodies are designed to efficiently convert starch and sugar into stored fat. That is why we are getting fatter and no matter how we diet and work out... we just keep gaining.

Anyone whose been following me on Facebook or reading my articles over the past 6 months knows where I'm going with this.... To change ourselves, we need to understand the basic way we are designed and how others have been preying on our biological vulnerabilities. This goes way beyond bodily appearance. Inside our bodies is where the real battle is waging, no matter how we look on the outside (inflammation, diabetes, heart disease, chronic pain, hormone imbalance.....). But clearly a BIG part of this is the amount of stored fat we are carrying.

Please pardon this next part... but I'm hoping to make a memorable point. This topic often reminds me of being in gross anatomy lab over a decade ago. This is where every medical student finds herself at the onset with the unnerving task of dissecting a real human being. I could tell you many stories about this experience, but will limit it here to one. Two young female classmates had the misfortune to end up with a cadaver that was an obese woman. In order for them to complete their weekly tasks... of identifying the anatomical structures... they had to wade through literally pounds of adipose tissue... we are talking buckets of yellow fat! This represented a lifetime of excess caloric intake... not just any calories... CARBOHYDRATES!

Sadly, for many it's not about being weak, or lacking willpower. It's by design that we are fat. We were designed to live within an environment with little carbohydrate availability... most of the year. We were designed to burn our own fat stores during periods of scarcity, cold seasons and regular extended physical activity. Short of us forming a commune and never going to the grocery store again, there is the benefit of our modern understanding of what is making us fat and addicted and the availability of tools to break the addiction.

I wish there was a way to help everyone understand what to do...without another diet label. But the ketogenic diet is the best we've got. when applied properly.. it is the only way to tap into the body's design to burn fat and normalized health. Are carbs bad? No. Neither is fat. It's the disrespect of our design that has messed up our health. We need to accept that we can never break free of carbs without help. Tools. Or as many have done in recent years, come to adapt to a ketogenic diet because they were so desperate from their declining health and increasing body mass. Embarking on a real ketogenic diet is near impossible without major motivation and willpower. I highly recommend this endeavor. The benefits will be life changing. But as I recently was reminded of... you need to have a clear goal and codify the WHY you want to love yourself enough to change. We were made to thrive. It's important to have a real perspective on what that means. Just looking good for a selfie on Facebook or that bathing suit for this summer's vacation isn't enough. Not enough to help you make good choices every day.

You must use the tools at hand. Build a support group around you. Those that build you up. Self-educate yourself. Nurture your spiritual well-being. Connect with creation, get outside and move. Use effective health promoting tools like exogenous ketones, natural agents for success.... I'm rooting for you!

There can be no doubt. The benefits of ketogenic living, diet and supplementing with ketones improves health. You have to persist and live-it!

Ketones > Glucose

It's been an interesting journey since last Fall when I was introduced to exogenous ketone supplementation. In short, it turned my world around...and energized my latent energy system. I'd like to give a basic overview of the ketone topic, summarize our classes- Body Reset 2016, and talk about future happenings with Naturopathic Med.

When I was introduced to Keto OS, the supplemental ketone betahydroxybutyrate (BHB), I was skeptical. I've evaluated far too many supplements and supposed health breakthroughs to count. There are not enough days in a lifetime to check out every supplement or health fad, but I try to evaluate those that seem legitimate. I will say without a doubt Keto OS was the first supplement I've ever taken that produced a clear and present effect. Notably improved mental clarity and focus. Then as the days and weeks went by I noticed many other benefits, including improved sleep, more daytime energy, more motivation, better mood, increased muscle tone, less joint pain, better digestive function, improved skin and nails, and better respiratory function and muscle endurance with exercise. Other effects occurring in patients of mine include fat loss, better blood sugar control, more energy, and many of the same improvements I've experienced.

So what is this all about? Well that is why I launched into my own review of human metabolism and research on ketosis that led to my first class on the topic last November, and then the Body Reset classes in January. To learn more about ketosis, I'd highly recommend you join the others who've embarked on this journey and watch my teaching videos. In addition, there are the class outlines, notes and recipes.

But for now here are the ketosis basics:

Our bodies were designed to burn two fuel sources.....glucose from carbs and protein, OR ketones from fats. Since in the modern era we are never without an excess of carbs... don't typically exercise for very long... and no longer fast out of necessity... we never start burning our other fuel source... FAT. Ketones are the energy currency of burning fats. Folks struggle so much to lose weight to a large extent... because as long as they continue to eat more than 10% of their calories from carbs, they will continue to be efficient fat storers, rather than fat-burners. The ketogenic diet has long been utilized for treating some rare or difficult conditions such as childhood epilepsy, glucosemetabolism disorders, and neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and ALS, as well as diabetes and cancer.

Up until the introduction of exogenous ketones that could be taken orally, the benefits of ketones were only found for those that could adhere to the strict keto diet... less than 10% cal from carbs, and about 75 to 80% of cal from fats. With ketone supplementation we can turn a switch in our cell's metabolic centers, activating fat metabolism, improving our brain, muscle, and organ cell metabolism, while reducing inflammation. I see ketones as a powerful tool that gives us the power to make life changes.

Like all things, ketones are not a panacea and require the user to make changes and engage in life habits that support better health. A junk food diet high in fat is still a junk food diet. And we all need to engage in physical activity appropriate to our situation. And perhaps what I believe to be of the utmost importance... to have healthy hormone levels.

I am excited to have just organized the first (that I know of.... probably the first in the Inland Northwest) cycling team that will be utilizing the superior cellular fuel source... ketones. Exo-Keto Cycling will be at the local bike races coming up this season and I'm looking forward to some great results. I'll keep you posted, or better yet, find us on facebook... And don't forget to "like" us and tell your friends and family about us. Dr. G

Free talk this Thursday Nov 12th, 5 - 6 pm.

Diet advice and fads never end. I won't say that I'll end the debate over the perfect diet, however I think I'll present some information you've probably never heard, and data supporting the benefits of turning the Food Guide Pyramid upside down.

Season Change.

I find myself writing this newsletter seeking the words to describe my year. "No pain, no gain" comes to mind. Or perhaps, "Trial by fire." I like this perspective: "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way." James 1:2-4

At the core of physical health is spiritual health. If you nourish your soul, you will improve your physical well-being. We can pursue many ways to improve physical health, all important, but find ourselves empty at the end of the day, feeling discontented. It is easy these days to be overwhelmed with responsibilities, distractions and stressors that keep us from finding rest and regeneration.

By nature, life is a process of lessons. Some learned and wiser for it, or some destined to repeat with frustrating recurrence. The power to learn and change is often not a matter of shear will, but a reliance on something beyond ourselves that gives hope. This is the only way not to be the sum total of our experiences and genetic accumulation. A "super meaning," as Victor Frankl called it, isn't necessarily something imagined, but a supply line for faith, hope, and love. We often apply these to people close to us. However, when we stay connected to the continuous care from our maker, it can transcend everything else. If we know nothing can separate us from this love, we can better care for ourselves and others.

At the heart of naturopathic medicine is to recognize the truth of existence, in body, mind, and spirit. I like to think of the soul as the integration of all our attributes.

One of my lessons this past year is that I can't exist without a connection to my creator and his creation, especially people. The stress of life and experiences can wear us down. There are seasons of difficulty that can refocus us on what is important. Then rest can come. Learning through trials, I've realized our "super-meaning" must be tuned-in to, sought after, and continually brought into consciousness. The cup has to be filled before we can drink.

As I turn a corner and see a change in season, I am excited about the future. If you've read this far I thank you. I also need to say I'm sorry. My practice and our service to patients has suffered over the past year. Many of you were not properly responded to when contacting our office. I have made some important changes and we are working hard to improve the level of service we provide.

I hope you read further about some upcoming events and announcements. Thank you for the gift of being a part of your health care.

The gluten-free diet is sweeping the country or at least awareness of potential issues from eating wheat. A number of health problems have been clearly associated with the regular consumption of wheat and gluten containing foods. These include Celiac disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, behavior disorders such ADHD, and liver disease, just to name a few. Many individuals who simply suspect a food component to a health concern have attempted the gluten-free diet, many finding that it indeed relieves some or all of their symptoms.

Studies have shown that the protein matrix referred to as gluten, found in wheat and related grains, can induce changes to the bowel epithelial (lining) cells and change the physical makeup and absorption system of the small intestines. This can result in such things as: leaky gut, disaccharidase deficiency, malabsorption, lactose intolerance, and cross-reactivity food sensitivities. Celiac disease is one of the more serious results, in certain individuals, in which there is the induction of an autoimmune cascade leading to severe damage to the small intestine architecture. It's believed that in the more serious reactions to gluten there is a genetic predisposition. But this doesn't account for all cases, especially when we consider the high rates of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. In this case, environmental factors such as excess stress, infection, or medication side-effects can induce gluten intolerance.

The damaging effects of gluten can lead to a person being allergic or intolerant to other foods, making the situation even more complicated. Commonly dairy intolerance can result from the damaging effects of gluten. It's also been observed that gluten can induce intolerance to a long list of foods, including: chocolate, coffee, rice, oats, buckwheat, sorghum, potato, quinoa, millet, soy and tapioca. You'll note that many of these items are foods often used in place of wheat when on a gluten-free diet.

The question is often raised as to why all of a sudden is everyone intolerant to wheat and gluten? Like a lot of medical mysteries this one is still being sought after. Some of the top theories include the hybridization of wheat into a specific strain of high gluten hard winter wheat that dominates flour production and the food industry in the Western world. Perhaps we are weakening as a species. The amount of grains consumed in the diet today is unprecedented in human history. Historically as grains became a human staple, they were processed in such a way to assist digestibility and nutritional content. Today those practices are largely ignored. They included fermentation, soaking and sprouting.

More recently the theory of toxicity has emerged. I recently read of research analyses that have correlated the use of herbicides such as Round Up (glyphosate) with the increase in gluten sensitivity. Glyphosate has been increasingly used to kill wheat crops near harvest to speed up the time it takes to get the wheat off the field and into your food. The glyphosate residue may shield the gluten from being properly digested then induce it's deleterious effects. If this is indeed the case, one can avoid this herbicide by eating only organic wheat. (note: glyphosate is widely use on corn, soy, and other crops and research is increasingly showing it causes harm)

Whether you are susceptible to Celiac disease or gluten intolerance, there are other benefits of reducing your intake of wheat, and all grains for that matter. Excess consumption of grains is associated with weight gain, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Often cutting down on gluten forces one to increase the diversity in his or her diet. Hopefully that means more nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, beans and legumes, and lean meats.

There are lab tests available to test your tolerance or lack thereof to gluten. In addition, specialty labs have developed ways to test for sensitivity to other foods. Through this process you will likely find a new level of wellness and diversity in your diet.

If you've heard any of the news reports regarding the dangers of taking calcium supplements and were confused, read this:

I agree with the heart of the article below. I believe that most of the studies they sight and the problems with calcium is related to the primary form that is used in most supplements: calcium carbonate. In addition, it is the absolute ridiculous amount that is being recommended and taken. 1,000mg and even more in the form of a "Tums" pill or other junk supplement is definitely a bad thing to ingest. The key in my opinion, as they mention in the article, is to first eat a healthy whole diet, then supplement in a balanced way. I never recommend more than 200-500 mg of supplemental calcium per day. And 99% of the time it's in the 200 mg range or less. It is always from sources such as Albion chelates or calcium lactate, or whole food bone sources. Lastly it's always taken with other minerals and essential nutrients like vitamin K, D, A, Mag, Silica, etc. Vitamin K2 for instance is essential in ensuring that calcium gets transported to where it should be and NOT deposited in joints, soft tissues or the blood vessels. Oh ya, and don't forget that phosphorus intake has to be in balance with calcium. Isn't it so much easier if we just EAT RIGHT!
Hope this helps.

I came across an article from EWG.org that reminded me of the ever pervasive chemicals around us. Specifically, it's Bisphenol A or BPA, the stuff found to leach out of Nalgene water bottles and canned food containers. Bisphenol A or BPA can act like estrogen if absorbed into the body and can cause a host of issues from infertility to cancer. Now it's shown up in receipts of all places.

Evidently thermal receipt paper is often manufactured with BPA. It does transfer to your skin from handling a receipt and may be quickly absorbed so that it can't be washed off. Most at risk individuals are those who work in retail and handle receipts hundreds of times per day.

An EWG study of receipts from US retail companies found 40% of them had high BPA levels. Some of these companies included McDonald's, CVS, KFC, Whole Foods, Walmart, Safeway, and the US Postal Service. Even the US House of Representatives cafeteria had high levels. Efforts are already underway to further assess this issue and the impact on individuals, as well as pressures to encourage companies to use BPA free paper. Like many issues of toxicity and the environment, it may take years or decades for policy to catch up with good science and common sense. In the mean time, stay aware and maybe just skip getting your receipt.

I've long thought it odd that our society vilifies "illegal" drug use while at the same time prescription drug use is growing rapidly. What's more, when you look at the most popular prescription medications, you realize that they are not curing anything and often doing more harm than good.

Statistics indicate that at least half of American adults are taking a prescription drug regularly. That number jumps to 90% for older adults. Even more disturbing is that almost 40% of adults over 60 are taking five or more prescription drugs, many who also are taking over-the-counter medications as well. There is a term for that; "Polypharmacy."

What are some of the most popular legal drugs? More than ten percent of younger adults are taking antidepressants. In teenagers, more than 6% are taking central nervous system stimulants (to treat ADD). 45% of adults 60 and above are taking a statin to lower cholesterol. Blood pressure medications and pain relievers round out the top for adults. Younger kids are getting asthma medications and antibiotics.

If these drug treatments were working, increasing their use should mean increasing the "wellness" of the population. No surprise this is not the case. We are getting sicker. Adverse events from prescribed medications are now a leading cause of hospital and doctor visits. Prescribed medications are now one of the top ten leading causes of death! In 2007 drug induced deaths ranked fourth. In 2009 there were 63,846 deaths from prescription medications.

When a drug is prescribed by a doctor, there is a false sense of safety. Many pain drugs are as addictive and harmful as heroin or cocaine, yet because it's a pill from the pharmacist, it seems so acceptable. The risks to the cardiovascular system, liver and GI tract from just acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or other NSAID are real. There is no free lunch.

The use of psychiatric medications for mood disorders and sleep are highly disruptive to the delicate natural balance of neurotransmitters and mental function. The adverse effects can be experienced throughout the body and take decades to resolve. Sadly, there is little done to actually assess the real causes of these health issues.

The wide spread overuse of antibiotics has resulted in super infections and is largely to blame for the rise in allergy and autoimmune diseases. Another false sense of security has been placed upon the sacred "vaccines," which are linked with immune and neurological disorders.

The abuse is found across all age groups. Doctors are prescribing for newborns and those near the end of life with abandon. No longer can we come into the world untouched by chemicals, nor die without polypharmacy. Could our healthcare crisis be related to all this expensive unnecessary interventions into the natural order of our lives?

Thankfully there is another way. You don't have to rely on pharmaceutical drugs as your first and last resort. It's all about where you place your faith. Is there a place for drugs? Yes, of course. You should give any prescription some critical thought as to its necessity.

Nearly all of the examples I've given above have a natural alternative. You (and hopefully your doctor) must first seek the true causes of your health problem and address that. Manage your symptoms using the least toxic means first. Unshackle your body to heal as it was designed. That is the heart of naturopathic medicine.

I recently watched the documentary, "King Corn." This is a film profiling an unfortunate turn in America, "we are being super-sized by corn." Bad government farm policy, coupled with the growth of big agri-business has led to a food situation that is so out of balance from the created natural order of things, it's no wonder our population is becoming so ill.

Thankfully there are some who are realizing what's going on. You can now find a "local movement" in many communities where individuals are seeking and finding local farmers and foods. Inevitably there is a mental and economic hurdle to overcome: nutritious and ethical (not ethnic) food may cost more. This is not always the case; especially if you factor in the lifetime cost of medical bills and how productive and fulfilling your life will or won't be.

The elephant in the room has been "what you eat." Lots of prepared foods are carefully crafted and marketed to make you eat more. Lots of these foods really aren't food at all. Sugar or chemically sweetened beverages are the worst offenders. But we all know that, right? We just choose to ignore it. The sad part here is that our tax dollars are going to subsidize the most unhealthy junk food, namely high fructose corn syrup and the legion of foods with it in it, as well as all the cheap meat and poultry; yes it's all "corn fed."

So we are simply following the evolution of the mono-cropped monocot that is corn today. And I haven't even brought up all the non-ecofriendly, toxic farming practices.

Take the "just so 'NO' challenge." Return to the American virtue of self-sufficiency and start learning to cook with real foods. Kick your grain and sugar addiction. The best way I know how is to educate yourself, plan ahead, build your-esteem and confidence, complete the 21 Day Purification. Do what ever works for you, but please stop feeding your children so much sugar! And Gummy vitamins!

Contact your government representatives and demand they stop subsidizing death and disease!

Unless you are living in a biosphere (which we are pretty confident you aren't!), you are not isolated from those around you. Friends, family and co-workers all play an important role in making any lifestyle change.

Our third suggestion for you before you come off the program is to let those around you know that the changes you have made over the last few weeks are not temporary. Let them know that this isn't just a diet that as soon as you complete it you are going to resume your old eating habits.

One purification program graduate noted that before the program he was drinking several Cokes a day. Coke was his vice. After he completed the program, naturally, his wife brought a Coke up to him at work one day, as she always had. He was strong and resisted, but this highlights the need to make sure that you identify the bad habits that you are not going to resume and share that with those around you, especially those who care about you. This will help them to avoid introducing unnecessary temptations as well as avoid the embarrassment of having to turn down some food or drink they have given you or picked up at the local fast food joint.

Remember, "He who fails to plan, plans to fail."

How Should I Feel Today?

You should continue to feel wonderful today. As always, if you have questions about something that is concerning you, please contact Dr. Graves or contact our resident purification specialist Allison at support@purificationsupport.com.

Weight Loss

Remember, don't wait to get hungry. Waiting increases cravings, lowers your blood sugar level and can lead to fatigue. Make sure you are eating small meals throughout the day. If you find you are getting hungry between meals, consider doing a shake halfway between those meals and also make sure you are getting at least 8 glasses of water each day.

Reminders

Make sure you are having 1-3 bowel movements each day during the program. If not, make sure that you are drinking enough water. Remember, you should be drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day.

After having a meal, have you ever experienced symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, congestion, pounding heart and so on. These could all be indications of potential food allergies, along with other common symptoms including skin irritations such as rashes, hives, and eczema or gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

As your program draws to a conclusion, you are going to be reintroducing foods into your diet that you have not consumed in at least 3 weeks. This reintroduction, if performed properly, is the perfect time to identify food allergies you may have.

This leads us to our second recommendation for you (remember the first was making an appointment with your doctor in the next week). We recommended that you plan to SLOWLY reintroduce items into your diet. This is key, not just for identifying allergies, but also just to allow your body time to figure out how to process these foods properly. After 3 weeks of healthy eating and training your body to release toxins you do not want to shock your system with all kinds of 'bad' food and drink.

One purification program graduate went to a gathering the day after she completed the detox. Over the course of a few hours, she had several glasses of wine. At the end of the night she wondered exactly how much she had consumed, so after doing the math (3 people, 3 bottles) she realized that she had the equivalent of a whole bottle to herself. Although she is not allergic to red wine, within hours of drinking she developed a rash on both arms and her upper torso that lasted 2 days. Her body was not able to cope with that much alcohol after 3 weeks of healthy eating and zero alcohol.

We will detail a reintroduction plan in more detail over the coming week.

How Should I Feel Today?

You should be feeling excellent, as detailed yesterday. At this point (with 7 days to go) you should be starting to feel like your body can handle just about anything you throw at it. Well, as detailed in the introduction above, you want to be careful. Don't get ahead of yourself. Stay focused and no cheating!

Weight Loss

Are you still avoiding those cravings? Getting your cravings under control while on the program will help you to carry on limiting those carb-heavy foods after Day 21. If you are not using Gymnema, seriously consider adding it to your protocol (as always, after discussing with your health care professional). If you don't get your cravings under control now, you are likely to slip back into your old eating habits on Day 22.

Reminders

Don't forget, ideally 50% or more of the vegetables you are consuming each day should be raw or lightly steamed.

Recipe of the Day

Stir-Fried Tomatoes and Eggplant

Ingredients:

-

Stir-Fried Tomatoes and Eggplant

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1 tablespoon Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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1 medium sized eggplant, peeled and diced

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1 medium onion, diced

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1 celery stalk thinly sliced

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1 28 oz. can of Organic diced tomatoes with juice

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2 tablespoons Organic Red wine or Balsamic vinegar

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2 finely sliced basil leaves or ¼ tsp. dried basil

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2 teaspoons dried oregano

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Salt and pepper to taste.

Directions:

1.

In a wok, heat the olive oil and stir fry the eggplant, celery and onion for 8-10 minutes.

You are 9 days away from meeting your goal. From here on out, unless you are feeling bad (in which case you need to discuss your situation with your health care provider), we want to begin preparing you for completion of the purification program.

Some people just cross the finish line, are happy they have completed the program and go back to their normal lifestyle. If this is what you are aiming for, no problem. However, most want to capitalize on this as the first step in a new direction. They want to maintain the results and begin their journey towards maximizing their genetic potential.

So, how do you maintain the results you have achieved thus far? Do you want to continue losing weight? Do you want to come off hypertension medications, antacids or anti-depressants? Well, we are going to provide guidance to help you over the coming week.

First, and most important, you need to schedule testing with the doctor who has put you on the medications you are wanting to work towards getting off of. At the conclusion of this program you will be in the optimal position to be tested. Make sure you have your appointments set before you come off the purification program (ideally on the last day or two of the program.)

How Should I Feel Today?

Not to sound like a broken record, but today should be more of the same. You are one day closer to completing the program and, to be blunt, here's how you should be feeling…

You should feel more in control, more at ease, more at peace with your own body, more charismatic, more sensual and overall just more alive! In other words, you should be feeling GREAT! The good news is that this great feeling should continue on through the rest of the 21 days and beyond the conclusion of the program, assuming of course that you incorporate some of the changes you have made into your everyday life.

Weight Loss

Are you using your newfound energy for working out? I know we have mentioned this multiple times, but sweating is KEY to losing weight. Drink lots of water and sweat, sweat, sweat.

Reminders

If you are experiencing constipation, remember to drink at least 64 ounces of water per day. In addition, be sure to eat plenty of vegetables and fruits with high fiber content. Eating a beet a day will also encourage regular bowel movements. Talk with your health care professional for other recommendations.

Recipe of the Day

Chicken Piccata

Ingredients:

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4 Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

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½ teaspoon dried thyme

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¼ teaspoon salt

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¼ teaspoon pepper

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2 garlic cloves, pressed

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1 cup cherry tomatoes

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½ cup Pacific free range chicken broth

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½ teaspoon lemon peel

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1 tablespoon lemon juice

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1 tablespoon butter

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1 tablespoon arrowroot

Directions:

1.

Light oil broiler pan with small amount of olive oil.

2.

Preheat broiler.

3.

Season both sides of chicken with thyme, pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt.

4.

Place chicken on broiler pan about 2"-3" from the heat for 5 minutes per side or until 160 degrees at thickest part.

5.

Remove from broiler and keep warm.

6.

Heat a large skillet lightly oiled over medium heat.

7.

Add garlic and stir constantly for 30 seconds.

8.

Add tomatoes and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt and cook for 3 minutes.

9.

Place tomatoes on platter with chicken.

10.

Combine arrowroot and broth in a cup.

11.

Stir until dissolved.

12.

In the same skillet, whisk together the arrowroot mixture, lemon peel and lemon juice and bring to a boil over high heat while stirring constantly.

13.

Cook for one minute or until sauce is slightly thickened.

14.

Add butter and any juice collected on platter and boil while stirring constantly.

15.

Cook until butter is just melted and sauce thickens.

16.

Pour over the chicken and serve.

What if I have Questions?

If you have questions about how you are feeling please remember that Dr. Graves is available throughout this program and can be contacted by phone at (509) 413-1530.